Strong performances

Garrison Players' "Crimes of the Heart" is a sweet, dark, funny piece, smartly cast, and well executed.

Jeanné McCartin

Garrison Players' "Crimes of the Heart" is a sweet, dark, funny piece, smartly cast, and well executed.

It's a touching story about three widely different, equally odd sisters, who reunite in their old Granddaddy's home for two intensely difficult and funny days. Each sister is forced to face the consequences of her "crimes of the heart" and learn more about the other sisters.

Working against a script that was a popular film of the same name, is difficult. But everything about this show conspires to take you into the present and leave the flicking version a faded memory.

For starters, Director Debra Martuscello Wiley, who also performs as set and costume designer, has gone to great lengths to make this an intimate experience. You are in the kitchen. The stage apron thrusts farther into the audience, and the theater's aisles are used as an extended stage. The line drawn by the stage's arch is softened with a border of lace; subtle but effectively further erasing lines.

She also selected her actors with care. Each fits their role, and manifests them deftly.

Autumn Allen's portrayal of Meg, the wild, tougher, eldest sister home from Hollywood and a badly stalled singing career, comes with a phenomenal series of nonverbal layers. Allen's eyes, gestures, overall sense of ease and flairs of intensity are a marvel to watch. This is a mighty fine performance.

Megan Davenport Karas is Lenny the geeky, "mother hen," middle child of the trio. She too is well cast and brings a clear character to the role. But there were times opening weekend she played too broadly, occasionally signaling rather than becoming. But for those moments her performance is delightful, and spot-on.

At the center of this production is earnest warmth. All the characters have real relationships and you care about them one and all — well, with the exception of cousin Chick. You can't wait for her to get her comeuppance. The strength of that reaction is owing to a super job by Nellie Teeling in creating the woman you love to hate.

Both Chris Savage and David Wiley give strong performances as the two men in the play; Doc, the jilted good guy and Barnette the smitten lawyer, respectfully. Both are genuine, Savage brings ease to his Doc, while Wiley creates a truly endearing Barnette.

This is a great script with a production that plumbs its gifts; everything is in its right place. The Garrison Players' "Crimes of the Heart" will warm your heart on a cold night — go and enjoy.

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